Chapter 86: Abduction

The little witch, Nalan Xiner, felt as if she had been struck by celestial thunder from the Ninth Heaven; for a moment, she was so stunned she could not utter a word. She recalled that senior brother named Jiu Ling. Although she hadn’t interacted much with him, he had always seemed merely somewhat arrogant—how could he be such a dangerous person? With pitiful eyes, Nalan Xiner looked toward Mo Bai.

Mo Bai sighed and said, “As early as the disciple selection tournament held by Master Innocence, this man had already revealed his cruel and sinister nature. At the time, everyone thought he was just overzealous, so his actions were forgiven. Who would have thought he would show such venom again today? Just as you were withdrawing the Violet Eyes, you were at your weakest, and Jiu Ling secretly readied a vicious poisoned needle in his hand, aiming it at your back. Foolish girl, you were still shielding him from the enemy, never realizing that your true enemy was right behind you.”

Nalan Xiner’s face was stricken with terror. She stammered, “Why? Why would he do that?”

Mo Bai spoke slowly, “I can’t be certain, but Jiu Ling came to us already skilled—he is, after all, from the Luo family of Heyang. Among the great spirit-cultivating families of the world, the Luo family of Heyang is one of the most renowned. Even a genius would not fully master their ancestral spirit formations before the age of fifty. So why would Jiu Ling, who hasn’t even mastered his family’s secret arts, join the Yuntian Sect?”

He paused, then continued, “There are two possibilities. The first is that the elders of the Luo family long ago recognized his character defects, but, unwilling to discipline their precious treasure too harshly, and having the convenience of Sister Qishui in Yuntian Sect, sent Jiu Ling here to temper his disposition in the world’s foremost spirit sect.”

Nalan Xiner nodded, “And the second possibility?”

A peculiar light flashed in Mo Bai’s eyes. “If it’s the second, then things are far more alarming.”

The clever little witch guessed nervously, “Could it be that the Luo family of Heyang also wants to plant their own people in Yuntian Sect? What do they want to do?” As she said this, chills ran through her body.

Mo Bai shook his head. “It’s only a possibility, and a slim one. If the Luo family truly harbored such intentions, they would never use someone so consumed by jealousy as a spy. Compared to Jiu Ling, Sister Qishui is much more formidable.”

Only then did the little witch understand why Jiu Ling had wanted to kill her. She fumed, “Jiu Ling, you’re truly despicable. Just because I’m stronger than you, is that any reason to try to murder me from behind? It’s infuriating, utterly hateful!” With that, she lifted her jade-like foot, intending to stomp the rock on the ground.

Mo Bai gave a wry smile. “You’ll find that, after receiving Master Innocence’s true spirit transmission, you’ll make more and more enemies. Not many in this world can let go of their grudges. You must be careful from now on.”

Nalan Xiner stomped for a long while but failed to crush the stone beneath her foot. Anger boiling over, her violet eyes flashed. With a bang, the stone was instantly reduced to dust. “When I return to Yuntian Sect, I’ll definitely tell my grandfather about this and have him punish that wretched Jiu Ling severely.”

Mo Bai interjected, “You mustn’t.”

Puzzled, Nalan Xiner asked, “Why not? Is Yuntian Sect afraid of the Luo family?” She puffed up her chest as she spoke. A ripping sound was heard—her chest had torn open a small gap in her robe. The earlier clash of spiritual energy had damaged the delicate silk.

A small patch of fair skin suddenly peeked out. The little witch let out a startled cry, her face flushing red as she hastily covered her chest, yet she glanced at Mo Bai in hopeful embarrassment. Seeing that Mo Bai hadn’t even noticed, she felt a pang of disappointment.

Mo Bai pondered deeply, “First, we have no concrete evidence. Second, if I kill him, I’ll find a chance to explain everything to Elder Luo myself. This is merely a personal grievance and must not become the fuse that allows the Demon Sect to invade Linglong.”

Nalan Xiner grumbled, “It can’t be that serious, can it?”

Mo Bai forced a smile. “Tomorrow, in Guihai City, there will be a bloody battle with Yihua Sect. If, in the near future, war breaks out between Yuntian Sect and the Luo family of Heyang, will Linglong Continent ever know peace again?” He smiled faintly. “Today our little witch has been in quite a sorry state. Sit here and wait for me—I’ll go buy you shoes and clothes.” With that, he turned and vanished from sight.

Clothes! Clothes! The little witch’s face blushed a deep crimson.

With a violent bang, the once-calm surface of the lake suddenly churned with waves. Mo Bai’s face was dark and grim, so much so that even the little witch at his side dared not speak. Her anger was no less than his.

Mo Bai glared fiercely at Tian Huashan, at his blood-stained body, and at the note beside the corpse. An overwhelming sense of crisis filled Mo Bai’s heart as he slowly picked up the note. On it was written: “If you want your friends safe, you must destroy every member of Yihua Sect in the Lingjue Arena!”

Wuluohua and Ganyu had been abducted!

“Brother Mo,” Nalan Xiner finally called out after a while.

Mo Bai merely grunted in response, saying nothing more.

“What should we do?” The little witch needed someone to rely on.

“We wait,” Mo Bai said blandly.

“Wait for what?” she asked, anxious.

“For tomorrow’s Lingjue Arena to begin. Come, I must rest well tonight.” A murderous glint flashed in Mo Bai’s eyes.

Seeing his chilling gaze, the little witch said, “Brother Mo, you’re not really going to wipe out everyone from Yihua Sect, are you?”

Mo Bai replied, “I cannot take any risks. I won’t allow Xiaohua or Miss Gan to come to any harm.” With that, Mo Bai moved away from the spring.

With a great splash, the spring water finally poured down in torrents!

Once the water had settled, behind the cascade appeared a refined and elegant young man. He murmured to himself, “No matter how powerful you are, haven’t you still fallen into the palm of my hand?”

Dong, dong, dong—the unique chimes of Guihai City’s bell began to ring out at dawn. The Lingjue Arena teemed with people; the grand contest was about to begin. This moment, symbolizing the dawn of a new era, stirred the hearts of every resident of Guihai as the bell resounded.

Old Master Guihai Xin was radiant with pride as he led the Guihai clan and the nine sects and eighteen gangs of Guihai City into the Lingjue Arena. Though excitement shone on every face, one man remained grim—Ouyang Zhenghe of the Hall of Righteousness. Having boasted before Old Master Guihai Xin, he had accomplished nothing and lost several subordinate leaders, his strength greatly diminished. No wonder he was depressed. Today, he was determined to prove his might in the Lingjue Arena and regain some face.

Guihai Xin, robed in purple and crimson, looked grand and imposing. Surveying the crowd, and especially the assembled members of Yihua Sect and Yuntian Sect, he flicked his robe and ascended the Lingjue Arena. Bowing to the various sects and clans, he declared, “Gentlemen, fellow brothers, spirit cultivators—this old man Guihai Xin greets you all. As the saying goes, are kings and nobles born to their station? Throughout history, heroes have risen and fallen on Linglong Continent, becoming the Five Powers. I am now well past seventy; by rights, owning Guihai City should suffice, and I should spend my remaining years in peace. And yet—” Here, a flash of ambition lit his eyes. “And yet, I cannot still my restless heart. The Guihai clan also wishes to establish its own sect and join the ranks of the Five Powers. I wonder if we have such fortune.”

From below, someone shouted, “Old Master Guihai, it’s your personal wish to found a sect, and we support you wholeheartedly. But insisting on joining the Five Powers is difficult. As all know, the Five Great Spirit Sects of Linglong Continent are: the dominant Yuntian Sect, the body-revering Zilong Palace, the peaceful Foyin Temple, the eccentric Luoye Sect, and Yihua Sect, which champions female cultivators. Some have held their status for centuries, others nearly a hundred years. Who among them will relinquish that honor to you?”

Guihai Xin stroked his white beard. “This friend speaks well. But I see things differently. Guihai City has a hundred years of heritage and, by seniority, is qualified to join the Five Powers. By merit, I am no less than the leaders of the great sects. Yet one matter has long weighed on my mind.” He furrowed his brow.

Someone below asked, “Old City Lord Guihai, what is it that troubles you?”

With righteous indignation, Guihai Xin declared, “Since ancient times, Yang has been honored and Yin subjugated—so why are we men so fearful of provoking those women?” With this rhetorical question, his ambition was laid bare for all to see. The crowd erupted into commotion. Guihai Xin continued, “Today, I will use this Lingjue Arena to challenge Yihua Sect.” Though his voice was not loud, every word reached the ears of the spirit cultivators present, a testament to his formidable cultivation.

Someone shouted, “Guihai Xin, to challenge Yihua Sect so brazenly—isn’t that inviting disaster upon Guihai City?”

Guihai Xin laughed heartily. “If I were afraid of Yihua Sect, why would I open the Lingjue Arena at all?”

Standing below, Mo Bai’s brows remained tightly knit. Though he knew that the Guihai clan and Yihua Sect were the main contenders in this contest, he wondered why Old Guihai Xin was acting so flamboyantly. Was there some hidden plot? As he pondered, a voice rang out, “Old man, since you seem so eager for death, let me cleanse Yihua Sect of your disgrace!”